EXCELLENCE is the goal of Bob Brady, the new chairman of governors at Middlesbrough College.

Mr Brady has succeeded Councillor Hazel Pearson as chairman of the governors.

He says he is looking forward to taking up an exciting challenge.

Mr Brady, 71, a former Middlesbrough councillor and a former deputy mayor, is the chairman of Fabrick, the parent company of Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing.

He takes over at the governors’ helm following the retirement of Cllr Pearson who was a governor at the college for 36 years.

John Hogg, the college principal. has also retired and Mike Hopkins has taken over.

Mr Brady said: “The college and the governors owe a huge debt of gratitude to Hazel Pearson and to John Hogg. They worked wonderfully well together. Mike Hopkins and I have now to build on that success. This is a very good college and we have to make it an excellent college.”

The college is soon to seek planning consent for a £5.5m extension to its building at Middlehaven. The development will be used by the college in its aim to become a centre of excellence for A-level students.

Mr Brady and Mr Hopkins see the college as providing “an escalator to fulfil ambitions”.

They aim to deepen and strengthen the relationship between the college and Teesside University.

“They also want to forge closer links with local employers.

The college provides tailor- made courses for employers and investors can use to college to provide a trained and work- ready workforce.

“We now want to move from being a very good college to being a centre of excellence.

“With Mike Hopkins and his team I am confident we can do that. We will be a centre of excellence in every shape and form,” said Mr Brady.